States In Play

Iowa pizza chain is a must-stop for GOP presidential candidates on the campaign trail GOP presidential candidate Mike Huckabee talks to a crowd at the Pizza Ranch in Jefferson, Iowa. Photo: Lars Gesing/CU News Corps LAS VEGAS, Nevada – Have you ever gotten pushed around or hit with an elbow...

In our Anecdotal Evidence column, movers and shakers share personal stories of how intriguing (and often odd) campaigning in their respective swing state can be. Steve Schale – Obama’s 2008 Florida campaign director Steve Schale. Photo: Lars Gesing/CU News Corps “In 2008 the Obama team agreed to start the last...

In our Anecdotal Evidence column, movers and shakers share personal stories of how intriguing (and often odd) campaigning in their respective swing state can be. Aubrey Jewett – Political Scientist, University of Central Florida Aubrey Jewett with a voting punchcard ballot from the 2000 presidential election. Photo: Lars Gesing/CU News...

In our Anecdotal Evidence column, movers and shakers share personal stories of how intriguing (and often odd) campaigning in their respective swing state can be. Adam Smith – Political Editor, Tampa Bay Times Adam Smith. Photo: Lars Gesing/CU News Corps “2008 was a crazy cycle. Florida scheduled an early primary...

In our Anecdotal Evidence column, movers and shakers share personal stories of how intriguing (and often odd) campaigning in their respective swing state can be. Dario Moreno – Political Scientist, Florida International University Dario Moreno. Photo: Lars Gesing/CU News Corps “The Northern part of the state – along I-10 from...

In our Anecdotal Evidence column, movers and shakers share personal stories of how intriguing (and often odd) presidential campaigning in their respective swing state can be. Frank Leone – Attorney and Virginia DNC Member Frank Leone. Photo: Lars Gesing/CU News Corps “ Larry Sabato was my major adviser at the...

In our Anecdotal Evidence column, movers and shakers share usually personal stories of how intriguing (and often odd) campaigning in their respective swing state can be. But since everyone is talking about the Pope these days, we applied his principles to politics. John Davis – North Carolina Political Commentator John...

In our Anecdotal Evidence column, movers and shakers share personal stories of how intriguing (and often odd) campaigning in their respective swing state can be. Kenneth Fernandez – Director Elon University Poll Kenneth Fernandez. Photo: Lars Gesing/CU News Corps “In September 2012 David Simas, the Obama campaign’s head of opinion...

In our Anecdotal Evidence column, movers and shakers share personal stories of how intriguing (and often odd) campaigning in their respective swing state can be. Michael Thomas – Richmond-based Republican Consultant Michael Thomas. Photo: Lars Gesing/CU News Corps “Virginia is a very different state then what it was many years...

Photo: Lars Gesing/CU News Corps The problem with polls: Opinion researchers preach restraint for horse race journalists ELON, N.C. – They are Donald Trump’s raison d’être and cause for major Hillary Clinton headaches: Public opinion polls are the prime driver of much of the 2016 presidential campaign trail news. Media...